Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) smashed the lap record at the Mobility Resort Motegi on Saturday morning, maintaining his grip on the top in Japan and pulling 0.484s clear of Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3). Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) was just 0.028s off Holgado in third, edging out Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI) by a single thousandth as the timesheets tightened up behind Masia.
Ryusei Yamanaka (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) was next up as he secures a place in Q2, just ahead of fellow home hero Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP). David Alonso (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) heads through in eighth ahead of home hero and Indian GP podium finisher Kaito Toba (SIC58 Squadra Corse), with Stefano Nepa (Angeluss MTA Team), Tatsuki Suzuki (Leopard Racing), Matteo Bertelle (Rivacold Snipers Team) and Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team) next up.
The final rider moving straight through to Q2 is Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP), despite a wobble for the Dutchman late on in P3.
Tune in for qualifying 12:50 (GMT +9) as Masia looks to hammer home that pace advantage on Saturday!
The top 10 combined:
| 1 | Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) | 1:56.148 |
| 2 | Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) | +0.484 |
| 3 | Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) | +0.512 |
| 4 | Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI) | +0.513 |
| 5 | Ryusei Yamanaka (Gaviota ASGAS Aspar Team) | +0.665 |
| 6 | Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) | +0.752 |
| 7 | David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) | +0.794 |
| 8 | David Alonso (GASGAS Aspar Team) | +0.859 |
| 9 | Kaito Toba (SIC58 Squadra Corse) | +0.880 |
| 10 | Stefano Nepa (Angeluss MTA Team) | +0.983 |
Click HERE to see the full results!